EXPERIENCING TROUBLE Devotion #3 of 6

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Psalm 138:7)

PLEAS FOR HELP IN TROUBLE

While God is a refuge in times of trouble, He must be sought, else no repass will be found. God is "greater" than all, yet does not operate independently of the cries of His children. This Refuge is like an ark of safety--but it is an ark on stormy waters. Those that are translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13) are also translated into a realm of militancy and conflict. How can the "way of escape" be found? Rest assured you will not find this way inadvertently. You will have to seek for it diligently and fervently. Your quest will be rewarded!

A prayer for God to behold the situation

"Be gracious to me, O LORD; Behold my affliction from those who hate me, Thou who dost lift me up from the gates of death" (Psa 9:13). One might argue that God is omniscient, and therefore does not honor such petitions. But this is not the case. The Lord is glorified when His people call out in to Him in times of trouble. Further, He is touched by the cries of His children.

Do not turn away! Answer quickly!

"Do not hide Thy face from me in the day of my distress; Incline Thine ear to me; In the day when I call answer me quickly" (Psa 102:2). It is good to reason with God after this manner. Remember, you are not passing information to God, but confirming your absolute reliance upon Him. He is pleased by the acknowledgement of your dependency upon Him. What is more, your faith will grow as it is so expressed.

The awareness of the futility of help from mankind

"Oh give us help against the adversary (trouble, KJV), For deliverance by man is in vain" (Psa 108:12). If you have not learned it yet, your ultimate help cannot come from your peers: it has to come from your God! The solutions that have been developed by human ingenuity may have some merit, but it is at a secondary level.

The honor of God's own Person

"For the sake of Thy name, O LORD, revive me. In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble" (Psa 143:11). Your cries to God should be insightful. Your deliverance is not the only matter you are seeking; you are pursuing the honor of God also. You want His Name to be exalted, and His fame to be spread abroad. This presupposes that you have already determined to acknowledge deliverance.

-- TOMORROW: CONFIDENCE IN TROUBLE --